As I walk by myself across the endless plains of the Meseta along the Camino de Santiago, I feel the dissolution of my pilgrim family deeply.
My intuition told me we would disperse across this bare landscape… and now I walk alone, left to contemplate how the Camino surprises all who try to tame it with expectations.
No matter how prepared I thought I was, its twists and turns cannot be predicted. I see parallels to ancient Chinese philosophy of the Tao about embracing changes and flowing with life’s unpredictability. There is harmony in accepting rather than resisting reality.
As I wander past repetitive scenery with only the occasional truck rumbling by, I grapple with a dilemma – continue toward Santiago or abandon my Camino to attend friends’ wedding? I’m torn between my purpose here and my loyalty to friends celebrating back home. Attempting both by pushing myself faster seems to violate the spirit of this communal walk. I need more time, yet the fast mileage required feels too isolating.
After this endless day I finally arrive exhausted in a remote town that looks like an old Western movie set. But to my surprise, I reunite with a past pilgrim! There is comfort in community.
I continue my relentless walk across this bare land. I know the winding path ahead holds unexpected delights and challenges, while the destination remains uncertain. I must resolve whether to complete my Camino or choose the fixed certainty of my friends’ wedding celebration. Just like the Dao, the Way here cannot be grasped, only experienced as part of life’s unpredictable but beautiful unfolding.
source
Eloquent as always. A lovely analogy of the Way and the Tao. Selfishly i am hoping you do complete the walk, it is wonderful to see you have a different experience to last year. Nothing in life stays the same. It is the ebb and flow that creates the space for us to change and grow and become all that we can be in this life 💖
It starts with a bit of sadness, but it ends with laughter, just like any good movie. In between, introspection, on friendship notably, and the infamous meaning of life.
I'm sure a great friend would understand your dilemma re his marriage. I'm betting you're going all the way, and ringing back, because bringing things to completion is your jam! I also like how you describe the camino as a kind of living entity, almost with obscure powers, untouchable, that thinks by itself, forcing everyone to adapt, just like in our everyday lives, more or less. Your words speak to me because they describe unattached liberty/freedom, something none of us is used to, in the true sense of the word. Maybe it's just me, but it's me writing it, so… 😉 So, in essence, you're going deep with old Chinese philosophy, the camino being a perfect metaphor of life, or maybe how life should be lived, even if we have no clue how that could be made possible without being an outcast. Realizing it is a good start, and doing the camino could be a way to get in touch on how we should live on this planet. Wu Wei sounds like an explanation on how to go with the flow. Perhaps the events were self-evident and sent a clear message that inspired you to find words and a sense of meaning to that major turn of event. Love it. Living the present and not fighting it, accepting it, surrendering peacefully to it. Solid analysis between the camino, your friends, old Chinese philosophy, life, and now I guess we can all wonder how all this affected you decision to stay until the end or cut it short.
I hope you don't mind, I did a little research for Chinese philosophy is not my forte. But a philosopher named Alan Watts had this illustration on Wu Wei: "The river is not pushed from behind, nor is it pulled from ahead. It falls with gravity". Sounds to me like going with the flow, the natural way of the universe. To be honest, at first glance, I do not see a major difference between Tao and Wu Wei. Not that it maters, really, but maybe someone can enlighten me/us. They seem intertwined. The overall message is quite inspiring.
I'm there in five months and a half. But who's counting. It's counting by itself, flowing at its own natural pace.
Excellent. You are inspiring us to plan Camino #2, San Salvador (Leon to Oviedo) to Primitivo (Oviedo to SdC), April, 2024
well done! 👍
Loved it. Cannot get over how good the iPhone footage looks. Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on how this was different to your first Camino, from a big social camino to one that is now changing, more time for solo walking and thought. The Frances is such a communal Camino, where groups form quite quickly and then all march on together to Santiago, so it has been interesting to see your family disperse half way along and hear your thoughts on this experience. I'm intrigued to see how your Camino progresses from here. Super impressed too with how quickly you got this episode out too!! Well done, sir 😊